Dolphins are considered one of the most intelligent animals that exist. They are spontaneous cetacean mammals (a subdivision of the infraorder Cetacea), where on the one hand there are river dolphins and, on the other, oceanic dolphins, both groups sharing many characteristics. These aquatic mammals are very striking, mainly due to the shape of their body and the long snout they possess, which makes them unmistakable. In addition, in the areas where they live, it is common to see them outside, where they come out, among other things, to breathe atmospheric oxygen thanks to the blowhole they have on their heads. These animals are carnivores and have different hunting tactics, another aspect that makes dolphins wonderful creatures.
Continue reading this article and we will tell you all about what dolphins eat and their way of feeding and hunting.
Are dolphins carnivores?
Dolphins are cetacean mammalian animals, that is, they are aquatic, marine or freshwater species. When they are newborns, like other mammals, they feed on breast milk, which provides them with all the necessary nutrients, until about a year and a half, when they begin with the progressive consumption of other types of food, until they reach age. Adult. Once this stage has arrived, they are completely independent and autonomous and can already hunt their prey themselves.
When they are fully adults, their diet is exclusively carnivorous. Despite having teeth (which can vary from 50 to 100 sharp teeth, depending on the species), dolphins do not chew their food, but swallow it whole, so the teeth only serve to tear the skin of their dams. In addition, they are gregarious animals, which is a great advantage when looking for food, since they are active hunters.
Dolphin feeding
These animals generally feed by taking the head of their prey first, since, in the case of fish, some studies affirm that this behavior allows them to keep their dorsal spines and fins back, allowing them better manipulation and not damaging the throat. The largest dolphins can consume large prey and up to 5 kg, while the smallest and youngest feed on smaller prey. Some of the animals that dolphins eat are:
- Fishes
- Octopuses
- Squid
- Crustaceans
- Sea turtles.
As for their dietary requirements, it varies in terms of the type of prey they are consuming, since each type of fish, for example, will provide them with more nutrients and energy. Some studies suggest that approximately one adult dolphin should consume 1/3 of its body weight per day.
Like many other animals, dolphins make migrations to look for food, since, by staying in the same area for a long time, they exhaust their prey very quickly, so it can be said that they rotate from place to place, returning periodically to the same places .
In general, the fish that consume the most are small, also squid and crustaceans, which allow them to be digested quickly and easily. Other common fish in their diet, all easily eaten, are:
- Cod
- Herring
- Sardines
- Mackerels
- Certain crabs.
How do dolphins hunt?
These animals have various hunting techniques. We explain them to you:
Echolocation
Dolphins have the ability to emit sound waves that allow them to capture the location of their prey, and in this way they act like a radar, allowing them to know the exact position of their food. This technique is called echolocation, and it is used by other animals as well.
Grazing
On the other hand, they use the speed of the swim forming U-shaped eddies, where their prey are locked. This technique is called herding and is carried out in a group and, as they lock up the prey, they take turns eating.
Stun their prey
According to some researchers, dolphins are also capable of stunning their potential prey through the generation of sounds or noises, which makes it easier for them to capture.
On the other hand, dolphins can feed on fish they take from fishing nets.
Aquaplaning
Another technique, used by bottle nose dolphins, for example, is to push the shoals into shallow, shallow waters, in this way, they can be caught in the fishermen’s nets. This technique is known as “aquaplaning”. This is a case of cooperation, as it is a collaboration between the fishermen and the dolphins: the fishermen allow the dolphins to feed on the caught fish until they move away, at which point the fishermen keep the rest of the catch. .
Mud curtain
Another method is known as the mud curtain, where they drag their prey into shallow waters and on the banks where the mud rises creating a curtain, which prevents them from moving or leaving easily, at which point the dolphins take advantage of the opportunity to hunt them.
Their hunting techniques are very interesting, since they can catch their prey even up to about 100 meters deep, since, in addition, they use echolocation to orient themselves in depths where sunlight no longer penetrates, being extremely effective even in species blind like the Ganges dolphin. This mechanism, on the other hand, allows them to even detect the size of their prey.
